Immunological_Aspects_of_the_Renal_System

End-stage renal disease (ESRD)

Another name for kidney failure, with a 30% higher risk in blacks than in whites.

Acute Kidney Injury (AKI)

Characterized by an increase in serum creatinine or oliguria.

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)

Defined as kidney damage or a glomerular filtration rate (GFR) <60 mL/min per 1.73 m² for over 3 months.

Oliguria

A reduced urine output that may result from chronic or acute kidney injury.

DAMPs

Damage-associated molecular patterns that drive sterile inflammation and contribute to AKI.

Hypoxia

A deficiency in oxygen reaching the tissues, which can lead to acute kidney injury.

Macrophages

Immune cells that mediate inflammation and can either promote tissue damage (M1) or repair (M2) in AKI.

C-reactive protein (CRP)

A biomarker that can bind DAMPs, contributing to the activation of immune responses in AKI.

Membrane Attack Complex (MAC)

Formed during complement activation, leading to cell lysis and exacerbating tissue injury.

Hyperacute rejection

Immediate rejection of a transplanted organ due to preexisting antibodies in the recipient.

Acute rejection

Rejection mediated by the recipient's T cells, occurring days to weeks after transplantation.

Chronic rejection

Gradual rejection that occurs months to years after transplantation, associated with fibrosis and ischemia.

Immune Cell Polarization

The differentiation of macrophages into pro-inflammatory (M1) or anti-inflammatory (M2) phenotypes.

Toll-like receptors (TLRs)

Pattern-recognition receptors that play a critical role in the innate immune system by recognizing DAMPs.

Pattern-Recognition Receptors (PRRs)

Receptors such as TLRs that detect pathogen-associated and damage-associated signals.

Vascular permeability

An increase in the permeability of blood vessels, often triggered by complement activation.

IL-17

A pro-inflammatory cytokine produced by Th17 cells that promotes neutrophil recruitment during inflammation.

Transplantation

A medical procedure that involves the transfer of organs or tissues from one body to another.

Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD)

A condition where donated immune cells attack the recipient’s tissues, commonly occurring after bone marrow transplants.

Ischemia-reperfusion injury

Damage caused when blood supply returns to the tissue after a period of ischemia or lack of oxygen.

Glomerular filtration rate (GFR)

A test used to check how well the kidneys are filtering blood; a decrease indicates kidney trouble.

Cytokines

Small proteins that are important in cell signaling, especially in immune responses during kidney injury.